1pm
4 pm
Monday, February 27, 2017
Group Presentations on Sacred Community
or types of religions and religious churches and denominations
1pm
4 pm
1pm
4 pm
Sufism, rhythm, vibration, harmony and sound
https://phalx.com/2017/02/25/the-sufi-mysticism-of-music-sound-and-vibration/
Within the sayings and practices of both Sufism and music, one can find all the necessary conditions that are needed to cultivate higher states of observation and consciousness. Upon the attainment of these higher states, says scholar Irene Markoff, the seeker can finally achieve the desired “spiritual intoxication (wajd) and a unique and intimate union, even annihilation (fana’), in the supreme being.”
In Sufi music, this practice is known as Samāʿ (Arabic: “listening”). It is the mystical approach of practicing “listening” in order to achieve remembrance (Dhikr) of the divine spark in our heart of hearts. Through chanting — and while in a mystical trance — participants reinforce their ecstatic state with the aim of reaching a “direct knowledge (maʿrifah) of God or Reality (ḥaqq).”
Sound
Hazrat Inayat Khan writes in The Mysticism of Sound and Music, “Before its incarnation the soul is sound. It is for this reason that we love sound.”
the Vedanta speaks of Nada Brahma, the Sound-God
Rhythm (The Law of Motion)
To put it in simpler terms, vibrations are the forces that instigate the perpetual motion of matter, and rhythm is the particular flow of these forces at any given time. Both are essential to the process that will eventuate in what in my view constitutes the Cosmic Pulse.
Harmony and the Music of Life
All the elements we have discussed need to come together, and be applied simultaneously, in order to contribute towards what in my view is the foundation of all beauty: harmony.
In our daily lives, this corresponds to the agreement of virtues, feelings, and thoughts within us. It is our duty towards our better health and wellness to strive to achieve a sacred symmetry between our mind, body, and soul.
Sound
Hazrat Inayat Khan writes in The Mysticism of Sound and Music, “Before its incarnation the soul is sound. It is for this reason that we love sound.”
the Vedanta speaks of Nada Brahma, the Sound-God
Rhythm (The Law of Motion)
The law of motion lies at the heart of Creation, which is a dynamic environment and not a static one. Planets rotate around their own centers while circumambulating around others, and entire solar systems move harmoniously while positioned on the spires of galaxies. These, in turn, are part of bigger galactic clusters that also move together, and so on. For the Sufi way, especially in music and dance, rhythm is not limited to ideas such as motion and progress, but also extends to ecstasy and intoxication.
Vibrations and PolarityTo put it in simpler terms, vibrations are the forces that instigate the perpetual motion of matter, and rhythm is the particular flow of these forces at any given time. Both are essential to the process that will eventuate in what in my view constitutes the Cosmic Pulse.
Harmony and the Music of Life
All the elements we have discussed need to come together, and be applied simultaneously, in order to contribute towards what in my view is the foundation of all beauty: harmony.
In our daily lives, this corresponds to the agreement of virtues, feelings, and thoughts within us. It is our duty towards our better health and wellness to strive to achieve a sacred symmetry between our mind, body, and soul.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
Week 7 What is a Cult?
5 Worst CULTS to Ever Exist
Published on Jun 19, 2016
5 Worst Cults to Ever Exist
A cult is defined as a group of people with religious beliefs and practices deemed as sinister or strange.
Whenever we hear about them, we automatically think they are evil, their members nothing more than gullible people. Regardless of what we feel, their existence is a reality.
The following 5 cults made headlines not just because of their strange beliefs but because they shocked and caused grief and death to thousands of people. These are five of the worst cults to ever exist.
5. Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God
4. Grail Movement Cult
Originally started in the late 40s, the Grail Movement was established by the followers of Oskar Ernst Bernhardt, also known as Abd-ru-shin. Their core belief follows the principles of his book "In the Light: The Grail Message", and currently, there are over 10,000 members.
3. Children of God
2. Heavens Gate
IN 1997 acting on an anonymous tip, police entered a hilltop mansion in California and found 39 dead people inside. This was the case that shaped people's notion of modern day doomsday cults – The Heaven's Gate.
1. Jonestown/ The Peoples Temple
It was a promised Utopia for members of The People's Temple of the Disciples of Christ or commonly, the People's Temple. But instead, their commune in Jonestown became a living hell for its many members and would leave the world shocked.
Published on Jun 19, 2016
5 Worst Cults to Ever Exist
A cult is defined as a group of people with religious beliefs and practices deemed as sinister or strange.
Whenever we hear about them, we automatically think they are evil, their members nothing more than gullible people. Regardless of what we feel, their existence is a reality.
The following 5 cults made headlines not just because of their strange beliefs but because they shocked and caused grief and death to thousands of people. These are five of the worst cults to ever exist.
5. Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God
4. Grail Movement Cult
Originally started in the late 40s, the Grail Movement was established by the followers of Oskar Ernst Bernhardt, also known as Abd-ru-shin. Their core belief follows the principles of his book "In the Light: The Grail Message", and currently, there are over 10,000 members.
3. Children of God
2. Heavens Gate
IN 1997 acting on an anonymous tip, police entered a hilltop mansion in California and found 39 dead people inside. This was the case that shaped people's notion of modern day doomsday cults – The Heaven's Gate.
1. Jonestown/ The Peoples Temple
It was a promised Utopia for members of The People's Temple of the Disciples of Christ or commonly, the People's Temple. But instead, their commune in Jonestown became a living hell for its many members and would leave the world shocked.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
John Green on the Koran
Islam, the Quran, and the Five Pillars All Without a Flamewar: Crash Course World History #13
(Green's description of the Koran is from about the 2 min. mark through the 7 minute mark)
Published on Apr 19, 2012
In which John Green teaches you the history of Islam, including the revelation of the Qu'ran to Muhammad, the five pillars of Islam, how the Islamic empire got its start, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and more. Learn about hadiths, Abu Bakr, and whether the Umma has anything to do with Uma Thurman (spoiler alert: it doesn't). Also, learn a little about the split between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and how to tell if this year's Ramadan is going to be difficult for your Muslim friends. Let's try to keep the flame wars out of this reasoned discussion.
(Green's description of the Koran is from about the 2 min. mark through the 7 minute mark)
Published on Apr 19, 2012
In which John Green teaches you the history of Islam, including the revelation of the Qu'ran to Muhammad, the five pillars of Islam, how the Islamic empire got its start, the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and more. Learn about hadiths, Abu Bakr, and whether the Umma has anything to do with Uma Thurman (spoiler alert: it doesn't). Also, learn a little about the split between Sunni and Shia Muslims, and how to tell if this year's Ramadan is going to be difficult for your Muslim friends. Let's try to keep the flame wars out of this reasoned discussion.
New Testament Canon
How the Canon of the Bible Was Formed
Published on Mar 31, 2016 The canon of Scripture refers to a standard or rule used to determine which books belong in the biblical corpus. In this short lecture Dr. Licona provides answers to the questions we've all thought at some time or another: Did Constantine decide which books belong in the Bible? Why is it that Matthew, Mark, Luke & John's gospels make it but not Thomas's, Peter's, or Mary's?
Published on Mar 31, 2016 The canon of Scripture refers to a standard or rule used to determine which books belong in the biblical corpus. In this short lecture Dr. Licona provides answers to the questions we've all thought at some time or another: Did Constantine decide which books belong in the Bible? Why is it that Matthew, Mark, Luke & John's gospels make it but not Thomas's, Peter's, or Mary's?
Sacred Scripture Part 1- the Hebrew Torah
The Origins Of The Torah - The Documentary Hypothesis
Published on May 23, 2016
The Bible is the best-selling book ever. But who wrote it? According to the Documentary Hypothesis, the first five books (the Torah or Pentateuch) are actually a combination of four or more sources created by different authors over many centuries.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Here is an example of the Sufi dance ritual ....
To see it on YouTube, click here: https://youtu.be/yEdCXRGJuM8
There are also examples of sacred dance rituals or forms of worship in Judaism and Christianity
HASIDIC Jews Sing & Dance ~ (Get HAPPY NOW!)
Native Americans: This video is amazing and breathtaking
Christians "Dancing in the Spirit": Tree of Life and Holy Spirit Ministry, Dancing in the Anointing
Santeria Dance in Cuba 2012
Altar of Fire
Published on Apr 9, 2016
This film records a 12 day ritual performed by Mambudiri Brahmins in Kerala, southwest India, in April 1975. This event was possibly the last performance of the Agnicayana, a Vedic ritual of sacrifice dating back 3,000 years and probably the oldest surviving human ritual. Long considered extinct and never witnessed by outsiders, the ceremonies require the participation of seventeen priests, involve libations of Soma juice and oblations of other substances, all preceded by several months of preparation and rehearsals. They include the construction, from a thousand bricks, of a fire altar in the shape of a bird. Around 1500 B.C., nomads who spoke an Indo-European language entered India and evolved a complex ritual involving the cults of fire and Soma, a hallucinogenic plant that grew in the Western Himalayas. Their Vedic language developed into Sanskrit, the classical language of Indian civilization.
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